GUM

Officials in Mexico City are encouraging residents to swallow their gum and not spit it out on the street. The average square yard of sidewalk in Mexico City has 70 wads of discarded gum. (2009)

In a breakthrough for American trade negotiators, Singapore recently relaxed its ban on chewing gum, imposed a dozen years ago for the sake of tidiness. Singaporeans now can lawfully buy 'medicinal' gum - including Nicorette and, on the theory that it promotes dental hygiene, Wrigley's sugar-free Orbit - but only in pharmacies, and only after showing identification.

A pharmacist convicted of selling unregistered gum, the Associated Press reports, can be jailed for two years. According to Singapore newspapers, street cleaners there are grumbling about wads of gum defacing sidewalks and pavementWilson Quarterly, Summer 2004